Woman Called ‘Chewbacca’ By Bullies Because Of Her Excessive Hair Condition

Woman Called ‘Chewbacca’ By Bullies Because Of Her Excessive Hair Condition iStock/Moyo Studio

A woman suffering from polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) has revealed the extensive bullying she’s received due to the symptoms of the condition. Samantha Allen has excessive body hair, among other symptoms, but has learned to love herself and is encouraging others to do the same on social media despite whatever backlash she may receive.

 

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  1. Many people have applauded her courage. Allen, 28, revealed that she’s often praised for being so open with her struggles. “I have had many women claim I am brave,” she told Media Drum World (as per the New York Post). Seeing a woman who truly loves herself and is comfortable in her own skin despite how different she may look to society’s ideal is a rarity, sadly enough. However, she’s inspiring other women to love themselves too.
  2. Her excessive body hair isn’t the only symptom of her PCOS. The condition causes an abnormally high level of male sex hormones that causes hirsutism, unpredictable periods, trouble conceiving, ovarian cysts, acne, male-pattern baldness, and many more. While it’s a condition that can be managed, it’s incredibly difficult to deal with.
  3. Allen started to experience symptoms at a very early age. She revealed that she started to shave her legs when she was only 8 and had facial hair “by the time I was 11.” Sadly, this meant that she experienced extreme bullying “throughout middle school and high school.”
  4. People have been so cruel to her. While you would think it would just be strangers who were terrible to her, Allen revealed that even those close to her had a laugh at her expense. “People called me Chewbacca, fat b***h, a man. I didn’t even know half the people bullying me,” she recalled. “However, once it started, more and more people started getting in on it, including close family members.”
  5. Excessive weight gain was also a problem. Despite playing many sports and staying active, Allen continually gained weight, eventually weighing 275 pounds. At 25, she even went to the emergency room after nearly having organ failure. “I felt like I was going to pass out and extremely weak. Liver enzymes are supposed to be between 0-40 and my level was 127, my EKG was completely haywire — early signs of renal failure and pre-diabetic,” she recalled.
  6. She decided to undergo bariatric surgery. After realizing that she needed help losing weight, she decided to undergo weight loss surgery and has since lost 100 pounds. Not only that, but she’s managed to conceive with her partner and is finally achieving her dream of being a mother. It’s safe to say she’s happier and healthier than ever.

 

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Jennifer Still is a writer and editor with more than 10 years of experience. The managing editor of Bolde, she has bylines in Vanity Fair, Business Insider, The New York Times, Glamour, Bon Appetit, and many more. You can follow her on Twitter @jenniferlstill
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